Comparison of Dental Explorers and CPI-probes in Diagnosing Dental Caries

Salivary Antioxidant Capacity and Oral Health Status in Children with Visual Impairments—A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Children with visual impairment are at a higher risk for developing dental disease, and imbalances in the antioxidant levels may play an important role in the development and management of oral diseases.

Aim Our aim was to evaluate and compare the oral health status and salivary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in children with and without visual impairment.

Methods Oral health was evaluated among 6 to 11 years old children with and without visual impairment (50 each) using World Health Organization oral health assessment form for caries prevalence, gingival health, and oral hygiene levels. Unstimulated saliva was collected and assayed for TAC using the phosphomolybdic method.

Statistical Analysis The data collected were tabulated, and the results, thus, obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using EZR software—version 1.37. The variables between the two groups were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test. A correlation test was done using Spearman's correlation test.

Results The mean TAC levels among children with and without visual impairment were 49.17 (±25.702) and 156.67 (±56.031) µg/mL, respectively, which was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The children with visual impairment showed a significantly higher number of carious lesions compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Oral hygiene status and gingival health status were significantly poorer in children with visual impairments than the children in the control group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions Oral health was significantly poorer, and salivary TAC levels were significantly lower in children with visual impairment. There may be an inverse correlation between salivary TAC and oral health status. Clinical Significance: Since these children have been shown to have poorer oral health status, a baseline assessment of their salivary antioxidant capacity may indicate the need to reinforce oral care efforts and supplement them using an antioxidant-rich diet.

Evaluation of dental explorer and visual inspection for the detection of residual caries among Greek dentists

Objectives

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of the operator's degree of clinical experience on the residual caries diagnosis through visual inspection and tactile sensation.

Materials and Methods

The participants were asked about the years of their clinical practice, any further training concerning cariology, their familiarity with the minimal invasive philosophy, and the techniques that they use to remove dental caries and detect when to stop the removal of carious tissues. In addition, an in vitro diagnostic test was conducted. Carious teeth were excavated to a level selected in random. Teeth were examined by each participant individually. Initial examination was performed by visual inspection. Subsequently, a dental explorer was used concerning the potential need for further removal of dental tissues. A sample of 380 dentists and dental school students were selected for the purposes of this study.

Results

Dental students presented statistically significant better sensitivity, than dentists from both age groups, during both visual inspection and tactile sensation of residual caries. Participants' ability to diagnose residual caries during cavity preparation was independent of their years of experience.

Conclusions

During the removal of carious lesions, with the goal of limiting the sacrifice of healthy structures and the leftover of residual caries, clinicians should combine a selective removal technique and the attentive visual inspection, with at least one further diagnostic method, aside from the dental explorer. Tactile examination of residual caries solely with the dental explorer must be used with attention.